Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Unpaid Credit Card Debt, Broken Car Lease

Hello,

Back in 2000, I left the US for another country, of which I am the citizen of (I was a foreigner on an H1B in California), with a sizable credit card debt, unpaid. I also broke a car lease that had about three years more on it. The car had no outstanding payments at the time and it was left at the parking lot of the dealer I got it from.

Now, I am wondering if:

1) It is safe to travel back into the US

2) The broken car lease and abandoned car is considered car theft (I just abandoned the car at the parking lot, didn't even contact the leasing agents)

3) And, in general, whether this situation poses any threat to me inside/outside the US: collection, jail, and so on.

Needless to say, I had not declared bankruptcy, I did not know it would be possible.

Thanks!


Asked on 1/31/04, 9:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

Re: Unpaid Credit Card Debt, Broken Car Lease

Abandoning the car is not car theft. Car theft is when you take the car, which you are not entitled to. You can be sued, and depending on treaties with the country in which you live, they could attach wages. You cannot be put in jail, but with security being what it is today, you may have trouble getting into the country if you have negative things on your credit.

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Answered on 2/01/04, 12:21 pm


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